Persona (game Of Your Choice Depending Which Is More Fitting) Gang's Reaction To The Reader Using A Cardboard

Persona (game of your choice depending which is more fitting) gang's reaction to the Reader using a cardboard box by hiding himself within the box and remaining inconspicuous, and also uses it to escape the notice of enemy sentries and surveillance cameras (Basically like Solid Snake from Metal Gear Solid)

A/N: Hi Anon! Thanks for requesting! So so sorry this took so long! This is my first time doing a character reaction request but I hope you enjoyed it! Had a lot of fun doing this one, so please feel free to request more!

Word Count: 2765

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Akira

Akira wouldn’t be fazed at all. Maybe just a bit surprised on the inside, but on the outside, a blank stare or maybe a small smirk of amusement. He would wonder where you hid the box though. Under your coat? No, there’s no way you could hide a box of that size under your coat. How did you carry it anyways? Whenever you would hide, the box always seemed to pop out of thin air. But even though your hiding methods were peculiar, the box did serve its purpose. 

Besides Futaba, Akira was the first person to join you in your box hiding shenanigans. He was always looking for new things to test out while exploring palaces and this method proved to be fun. You could see the glint of mischief in his eyes as he would pull a box out of thin air and hide under it. As a Shadow approached, Akira would stand up, letting the box fly off of him. The Shadow would notice and immediately charge at him, weapon drawn. Then just as quickly as before, Akira would pull out another box and  hide himself under it. You could hear him chuckle as you watch the Shadow look around in bewilderment. The glint of mischief, the tiny glimpse of a smirk that you saw before he hid back under the box; it was just like a cat toying with a mouse.

Ryuji

He would be the one who would loudly shout “what the hell” and end up making you all retreat from the palace. But honestly Ryuji would probably get the reference. He probably never played the series before but he’s most likely seen it in memes and such. 

"Oh they're doing that hiding under the box thing!" (Futaba would probably get offended by this remark.)

At first Ryuji would find the idea dumb. There’s no way that hiding under a box would actually work, right? It was huge, and stuck out like a sore thumb. Even he would be able to notice that it was out of place in the palace. But once he sees that the Shadows completely ignore the box, Ryuji would eventually use it to his advantage. Like Akira, Ryuji would also want to test his luck with the shadows. The first idea he had was to sneak up behind the Shadows, put the box over their head and ambush them from behind. A lot of extra work to do when you could just normally ambush them but it put a smile on Ryuji's face whenever he pulled it off.

Ann

Much like Ryuji, she’d probably be surprised when she sees you hide under the box, but she’d be more composed about it. Ann wouldn't normally want to hide under a box, but she would do it if it meant staying undetected and not having to leave the palace. She might complain a bit at first, since it seemed to be a hassle having to lay on the ground; but she’ll quickly get used to it. 

One time while you all were taking a break in the safe room, you noticed Ann drawing faces on her box. When you asked her about it, she told you that she thought the faces would bring more life to it. You had to agree, the doodles were cute. So then you started drawing on your box too, and eventually all of the Phantom Thieves were doing it. It turned out to be a neat little stress reliever from exploring. But somehow, it ended up turning into a competition of whose box looked the best and you were appointed as the judge. As a joke, you voted for Ryuji which ended up making Yusuke snap a paintbrush in half.

Yusuke

Yusuke wouldn’t have much of a reaction to be honest. Just like his reaction to Morgana the first time, Yusuke would just see it as something normal. To him, it’d just be your way of escaping enemy surveillance. Yusuke probably would also come up with different ideas of using the box. Seeing Akira and Ryuji attempt their ideas made him curious. If he painted on the boxes would they become noticed by the Shadows? The answer was no, as the paint only added some flair. Interestingly enough this led to Yusuke collaborating with Futaba on an idea she had. With Akira’s permission and yours, you ended up being an art project. Specifically, Futaba wanted to have Yusuke paint the boxes and sculpt them in a way that could be worn like a costume. 

Within a few days, you showed up at the hideout inside of a beautifully painted cardboard costume of Futaba’s favorite Featherman. Yusuke and Futaba were proud of their collaborative creation; both of them explained the details that went into it. The rest of the Phantom Thieves were impressed to say the least, that was until you all went into Mementos. The costume was meticulously detailed, the paint gave off a very metallic feel for something made out of cardboard. The only problem was that you couldn’t move very well in it. When Makoto asks how Yusuke and Futaba got you to LeBlanc, they pull out a hand trolley that they used to wheel you there. Although the use of the costume was short-lived and never got to see any action, it neatly sits in Futaba’s room for the time being. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll actually be able to use it.

Makoto

Makoto would probably tell you to stop messing around at first. Saying something along the lines of “now isn’t the time to play hide-and-seek with the Shadows.” She apologizes to you for saying such a thing once she sees that the Shadows don’t pay any attention to the box. At first, Makoto wasn’t sure how to approach the situation. While yes, the box was actually an ingenious hiding method, but she had her doubts about it. Wouldn’t it just be easier to hide like you always did? The box did seem a bit inconvenient to pull out every time, and it did make ambushing enemies a bit slower. 

It wasn’t until Akira called a meeting per Futaba’s request that Makoto’s doubts were… somewhat relieved to say the least. You all sat through a 2-hour presentation about the Metal Gear Solid series, Solid Snake and the possible pros and cons of using the box to hide while in Palaces. At the end of it, everyone’s attention turned to Akira as he sat in the back of the room, his arms crossed. The only thing he said was “Okay.” as he pushed his glasses up and gave Futaba a thumbs-up.  With a loud cheer from Futaba, the room filled with chatter as Makoto only sighed with a small smile. To be honest, now she was completely terrified of what this could possibly bring on. But, this should be fine for the most part right? After all, you guys were still young. You should still be allowed to have some fun while trying to change society.

Futaba

To say that Futaba was ecstatic when she saw you hide under the box, was an understatement. A very severe understatement. Like Ryuji, she lets out a loud cheer which ends up attracting the Shadows’ attention. Luckily there was a safe room right around the corner, so you and the Thieves duck into there. Once inside the safe room, Futaba would ask you a bunch of questions. Such as have you played the games and if so which was your favorite? Were you a 100% completionist or the type to play it once and be done with it? And so on and so forth. Futaba becomes a lot more invested in actual palace exploring rather than just navigating once the other Thieves start using the boxes to hide as well. She would beg Akira and Makoto to let her join in on ambushing Shadows. Even with all of the pleading from Futaba, they deny her request. This rejection ended up being futile anyway since you suggested that she join you in a Showtime Attack. And no one could stop you, not even Akira. Let’s just say that your Showtime was… too chaotic for anyone to stop you.

After that, you’d always hang out at Futaba’s place, playing different games with her. Eventually it got to the point where Futaba would end up hosting small game parties in Akira’s room. It was friendly at first, just you all playing games together. At least it was friendly, until Ryuji suggested Mario Kart. Akira jokingly refers to that night as “the night the Phantom Thieves almost broke up.” You guys don’t mention that night. Ever.

Haru

Haru’s reaction would be similar to Yusuke’s, she wouldn’t see much wrong with it. In fact Haru would find the idea very cute. Hiding under the box and then ambushing an unsuspecting Shadow? What fun! Everytime Haru would pop out from underneath the box, she’d have a bright smile on her face as she swung her axe down. She also probably played a part in trying to convince Makoto that using the boxes to your advantage was a good thing.

In any case, Haru enjoyed the box method, if anything she was one of the people who really showed the advantage of it. She’d carry Morgana in one of the boxes if neither of them were chosen to be in the team lineup for the day. Seeing as the Shadows don’t notice the box, Haru would suggest that she wanted to try something. Of course, Akira gives the okay and before Morgana can even process what’s happening, Haru tosses the box towards a Shadow, leading to a successful ambush. She apologizes to Morgana for not warning him, and promises to warn him next time. He wanted to reject the promise, never wanting to be thrown again, but he couldn't bring himself to say no to Haru. This would end up being a mistake on his part as Haru came up with new ways to ambush Shadows. One of them included sliding the box with Morgana in it across the floor like a bowling ball. This soon became his least favorite thing about Palace exploration but as long as it was only Haru that was doing it, he was fine. There was no telling what hell the rest of you would unleash if he allowed them the same permission.

Morgana

Just like Makoto, Morgana would also tell you to stop messing around. He’d tell you that you’d have time to play after you all were done exploring the Palace. Of course once he sees that the Shadows ignore the box, he doesn’t say much about it anymore. He’d actually become intrigued about how it worked. Morgana knew that the effect of cognition was strong, seeing as that the guns you all used were actually loaded when inside of Palaces. But could that effect actually extend to making a box unnoticeable by the Shadows? It was just an ordinary box, what was so special about it? He’d ask you about it, wondering if it had something to do with your cognition of the box. The first answer you provided was that you had no clue of how it worked. After you thought about it some, your 2nd answer was that it was simply the will of the game mechanic. Morgana figured it was best to just let the conversation die there after that.

Morgana is most likely one of the only members of the team who doesn’t use the box that often. Well, more like even if he wanted to, he can’t. The box was a one-size fit all type of thing, that is for humans. When Futaba and Haru tried to convince him to join them, he refused at first. He was already fast enough to ambush normally, so adding the box would just be an extra step and a waste of energy. But of course, they kept trying to convince him, saying that it was a team spirit thing. Morgana would never admit it, but he was glad that Futaba and Haru wanted to include him in it; even if it was something as silly as this. Well, he was happy until the box he pulled out was the same size as the ones you all used. It was almost as if he pulled out a comically large spoon. It didn’t help when the box fell on top of him and he popped out from underneath it and everyone simultaneously said “aww”. 

Akechi

Pre-third semester Akechi would just go along with it. If he needed a place to hide, he would hide under a box. He'd be a bit confused when he first sees you hide under it and then even more perplexed when the rest of the Phantom Thieves follow your lead. But he understands that it proves to be useful when you get yourselves in a tight spot.

Now with third semester Akechi, he would absolutely loathe having to hide under the box. That would be the last thing he would resort to if he had no other choice. Even if you tried to force him under it to avoid having to retreat from the palace, he would try to brute force his way through the enemies. He’d still see the usefulness of hiding underneath it, but he much rather fight than hide at this point. To your disappointment, Akechi tends to try and avoid any situation that could possibly lead him into having to hide. However, on the rare off-chance that the situation is unavoidable, Akechi scowls when he has to pull out the box.  You and the other Phantom Thieves can't help but laugh a bit when you see him throw the box off angrily as he stands up and simply continues navigating through the palace. 

Sumire

Sumire’s reaction would be similar to Ann’s, surprised at first but quickly regains composure. She would ask you a lot of questions, mainly due to her wanting to do everything in her power to help the Phantom Thieves. Even if it was a bit bizarre to her at first, Sumire would just go with the flow. She didn’t question it and if anything thought it was fun. To her, it was somewhat of a team bonding sort of thing. Everyone followed your lead when the situation called for it, well some did it reluctantly, but Sumire felt as if it brought the team closer together.

Since she was a new addition to the team, Sumire was excited to learn and help out in any way possible. She’d watch you guys do different tactics to ambush the enemies, then she’d do it herself. You couldn’t help but be proud of her when she turned around after the battle asking “Senpai, did I do it correctly?” Eventually Sumire came up with her own ideas of ambushing while using the box to hide; she even pushed for Akechi to join in on the fun as well. Of course he refused, and then Sumire asked for everyone’s help in trying to convince him. She wanted him to feel like a part of the team, and also maybe show a genuine smile. In the end, he begrudgingly agreed. It was fine until Akechi started getting a bit too… creative you could say. In a sense the “jump” in creativity could be due to your convincing statement that the box ‘was just another way to strike fear into the heart of your enemies’. Yeah, not the best thing you could have said, but it sure did the trick.

Soon, Akechi was having a little too much fun with using the box to ambush that it put the whole team on edge. You were beginning to think that it was a bad idea. A very bad idea seeing that Akechi’s antics only got more violent as time went on. One day Sumire decided to copy Akechi, an idea that you, along with everyone else, advised against. But of course she reassured you all, saying that if anything this would make things less tense. And so, Sumire copied one of Akechi’s methods; it didn’t have the exact murderous intent that Akechi had but it was a good effort. Akechi only stared at Sumire when she asked if she did it correctly. It surprised all of you when he laughed and told her it was a good attempt and that he’d gladly teach her how to do it properly. Well, at least Sumire was right in that the box ambushing brought the team closer together.

the besties are judging you for your taste in men

Zuko fic recs

Other Fic Recs 🌱

Masterlist 🧚🏻‍♀️

Works by @fandomlit

Past lovers

Zuko being nervous on your wedding day

The play

Works by @beifongsss

Life changing field trip

Fake it til you make it

Works by @echnated

Impulse (THE WAY I SOBBED)

Damsel in distress (this fic <3)

Works by @patchofsunlight 

Purple Strawberries

Back to you

You and zuko falling for each other 

Warmth 

Works by me

Don’t let the sun come down on me (mini series)

Works by other amazing writers 

My moon by @xreaderxo (STOP I ACTUALLY CRIED READING THIS) 

Not enough by @imaginedxlan

During my break? By @maddywritez

Inamorata by @azucanela

The gaang not knowing your relationship by @melzula

Your eyes tell by @asciendo

The dark side of the moon by @muertawrites

Pai sho by @just-another-author-i-guess

Zuko meeting the reader at the tea shop by @reinerispretty

please keep loving me by @biqherosix

Best kind of medicine by @panda-noosh

ATWR Masterlist

Intro

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Part Seven

Part Eight

Part Nine

Part Ten

Part Eleven

Part Twelve

Part Thirteen

Part Fourteen

Part Fifteen // Part Fifteen ½

Part Sixteen

Part Seventeen // Part Seventeen ½

Part Eighteen

Part Nineteen

Part Twenty // Part Twenty ½

Part Twenty One // Part Twenty One ½

Part Twenty Two // Part Twenty Two ½

Part Twenty Three

Part Twenty Four

Part Twenty Five

Part Twenty Six

Part Twenty Seven

Part Twenty Eight // Twenty Eight ½

Part Twenty Nine

Part Thirty

Part Thirty One

Part Thirty Two

Part Thirty Three

Part Thirty Four

Part Thirty Five

Part Thirty Six

Part Thirty Seven // Part Thirty Seven ½

Part Thirty Eight

Part Thirty Nine

Part Forty

Part Forty One

Part Forty Two // Part Forty Two ½

Part Forty Three // Part Forty Three *Bonus Video*

Part Forty Four

Part Forty Five

Part Forty Six // Part Forty Six ½

Part Forty Seven

Part Forty Eight

Part Forty Nine

Part Fifty 

Part Fifty One

akechi-kun r u good